Italy between lights and shadows: Is fascism still relevant in the 21st century?

In the shadowy streets of Milan, a group of men gathers wearing dark uniforms and tattoos on their shaved heads, reminiscent of a far-right student murdered almost half a century ago. With the fascist salute held high, the scene evokes the horrors of the past as the crowd responds with a unified cry of "Present!" In the year 2024, Italy is shaken by a disturbing question: is fascism truly a thing of the past, as claimed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her party Brothers of Italy? Although Meloni has stated that her movement has evolved and distanced itself from its fascist roots, many fear that signs of extremism still persist in Italian society. Journalist Paolo Berizzi, who has lived under police protection due to threats from extremist groups, argues that Italy has never managed to reconcile with its turbulent fascist past. Despite Mussolini's military defeat in 1945, fascist ideology continues to linger in the minds of some Italians, feeding the shadow of extremism. Benito Mussolini, known as Il Duce, imposed a totalitarian regime marked by brutal repression, concentration camps, and alliances with Hitler that led to the tragedy of the Holocaust. Despite the formal prohibition of the fascist party in the post-war period, various manifestations of the movement have persisted in Italian society. The Scelba Law of 1952 attempted to ban undemocratic groups that glorified fascism, but its enforcement has been lax, allowing far-right movements to find space for expression. In contrast to countries like Germany, where the fascist salute carries criminal penalties, the judicial interpretation of this gesture in Italy is ambiguous. The political rise of Meloni and her party has raised uncertainty about the true extent of the fascist legacy in Italy. Despite their softened rhetoric and distancing from extreme positions, such as condemning violence in demonstrations, critics argue that the presence of old fascist symbols and slogans in their discourse raises doubts about a genuine break from the past. The emergence of groups like Forza Nuova, more radical in their anti-immigration and pro-Russia stances, adds a worrisome nuance to the Italian political landscape. Their violent actions, such as the attack on the union headquarters in 2021, reveal the persistence of extremist currents that challenge the narrative of post-fascist reconciliation. Faced with this scenario, Italian society grapples between historical memory and the resurgence of dangerous ideologies. While figures like Susanna Cortinovis defend elements of Mussolini's regime, others like Emily Clancy in Bologna warn of the current threats of right-wing extremism, which undermines diversity and democracy. In a European context where the far right is gaining ground, Italy stands out as a case study on the persistence of fascism in the 21st century. The ambiguity surrounding fascist symbols, the legitimization of radical groups, and political ambivalence pose urgent challenges for a society that has not yet healed the wounds of its totalitarian past. In this complex scenario, the figure of Meloni and her attempt to reconcile nationalist discourse with more moderate positions reflect the dilemmas of a nation struggling to define its political identity in a context of growing polarization and radicalization. The question remains: can Italy definitively leave behind its fascist legacy or does it risk reliving its shadows in a new uncertain political context?